Spring swing

ABSTRACT

A swing formed of an elongated length of elastic tubing intended to be attached to an overhead beam or tree limb in a manner hanging downwardly therefrom and forming a loop in which a child may sit for swinging movement relative to the supporting beam or tree limb. The tubing may also include a seat molded integrally therein on which the child may sit. Still further, the tubing may include a pair of spaced apart foot pads molded therein and intended for a child to stand thereon when swinging on the tube.

United States Patent [191 Hagan July 30, 1974 SPRING SWING Primary Exuminer Richard C. Pinkham [76] Inventor: Robert M. Hagan, 9801 Gwynn Assistant Exammer-Theatnce Brown Park Dr., Ellicott City, Md. 21043 [22] Filed: Jan. 3, 1974 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 430,561 A swing formed of an elongated length of elastic tubing intended to be attached to an overhead beam or [52] U S Cl 272/85 tree limb in a manner hanging downwardly therefrom [51 J in} .CI 9/00 and forming a p in which a child y sit for swing [58 1 Fieid 61 57 ing movement relative to the supporting beam or tree 1 limb. The tubing may also include a seat molded integrally therein on which the child may sit. Still further, the tubing may include a pair of spaced apart foot [56] l Ekeferences f l T pads molded therein and intended for a child to stand UN T D STATES A N S thereon when swinging on the tube. 3,352 555 ll/l967 Phillips 272/85 l [fining 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SPRING SWING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to swings and more particularly to a novel elastic swing formed of an elastic tubing intended to be suspended from an overhead beam or a limb of a tree in a manner forming a closed loop suspended downwardly from the support and in which a child may sit or stand for a swinging and bouncing type ride thereon.

2. Description of the Prior Art It has been known in the prior art to provide swings of the type having a platform on which a child may sit with the platform being rigidly suspended for swinging movement from an overhead support such that the child may swing thereon in a manner to amuse the child. While such is amusing to the child, it has been found that a child soon tires of a conventional swing and thus attempts to provide makeshift types of swings to modify the swing in a manner to further amuse the child.

It would thus be desirable to provide a novel type of swing which would provide not only a swinging amusement to the child sitting thereon, but would also provide a secondary type movement to the child in a manner to enhance the spring and the enjoyment of the child thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a novel spring type swing in the form of an elongated endless elastic tube adapted to be suspended from an overhead beam or tree limb and project downwardly therefrom in a loop forming member into which a child may sit or stand to achieve both a swinging movement relative to the support as well as a bouncing springy movement toward and away from the support so as to thus provide an unusual and exhilarating ride to the child on the spring.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a spring swing utilizing an elastic tube or other highly elastic member to define a swing and seat portion upon which a person may reside while swinging thereon in a manner providing both a swinging and bouncing type movement.

A further feature of the present invention provides a spring swing having no hard members or sharp edges associated therewith such that the danger of conventional swings to passing children is eliminated with the swing of the present invention providing no danger or hazard to a child should the same inadvertently strike the child when in use.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a spring swing including an elongated elastic tube having a seat molded integrally therewith and adapted for a person to sit thereon while swinging in the swing.

Yet still a further feature of the spring swing of the present invention includes an elongated continuous elastic tube having a pair of spaced apart foot pads molded integrally therewith and providing locations for a person to stand thereon when using the swing.

The provision of a spring swing which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; one which is devoid of moving parts and which therefore is unlikely to get out of order; one which is rugged and durable and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand many years of intended usage; one which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance; one which is easy to use and efficient in operation; and one which, otherwise, is well adapted to perform the services required of it, are further desirable features which have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the spring swing of the present invention fastened to an overhanging beam or limb;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along Line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a modified form of the invention wherein a seat has been molded integrally with the elastic tube member;

FIG. 4 is still a further modified form of the invention wherein a pair of foot pads have been molded integrally with the elastic tube; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along Line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 inclusive, there is illustrated a preferred form of a spring swing constructed in accordance with the present invention and designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 10, the swing being comprised of an elongated endless and continuous elastic tube 11 having cylindrical side walls 12 and which is adapted to. be suspended from an overhead beam 14 or a limb of a tree or the like in a manner to be suspended vertically downwardly therefrom to form an elongated loop into which a child 15 may sit at the bottom end portion 16 thereof for swinging back and forth in a conventional arcuate manner relative to support 14 while simultaneously bouncing in an up-and-down manner due to the elasticity of the tube 11 such that the child is provided with an unusual ride as to a combination of swinging back-and-forth as well as bouncing upand-down at the same time.

The elastic tube 11 may be manufactured out of rubber, plastic, or any other suitable satisfactory material which may be supplied in a variety of decorative colors and designs, with the preferred embodiment being manufactured of a low density neoprene material due to its weather resistant qualities and inherent resilient characteristics to provide a long life to the spring 10. In addition, it is to be understood that the spring 10 may be formed of an elastic strap (not shown) rather than of the tube 11 as envisioned within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is illustrated a modified form of the invention wherein the tube 11 is provided Referring to FIG. 4 there is illustrated yet a further modified version of the invention wherein the tube 11 is provided in the region 16 with a pair of identical spaced apart substantially flat discs 31 each formed integrally with the tube 11 or formed separately thereof and suitably secured to the tube such as by solvent sealing procedures and the like, the top surface 32 of each disc 31 being provided with a plurality of parallel spaced apart raised ribs 33 projecting upwardly from the top surface 32 and extending in directions parallel to the direction of tube section 16, such ribs providing a firmer foothold of a childs feet thereon when a child stands thereon for swinging on the swing 10.

There is thus provided a novel swing readily attached to an overhead support and providing both a swinging and bouncing ride to a child thus increasing a childs interest in the swing and amusing the child for a lengthy period of time.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. A spring swing adapted to be suitably suspended from an overhead support in amanner projecting vertically downwardly therefrom and comprising an endless continuous elastic tube, said tube having continuous cylindrically shaped side wall members, said tube ineluding a portion disposed furthest from the point of connection of the tube to the suspending member and defining a seat for a person to reside on while swinging, said seat defining portion comprising a widened and substantially flat area defining a seat formed symmetrically to said tube and projecting laterally from each side of said tube and adapted for a person to sit thereon while swinging on said swing, said tube being of such length and of sufficient strength to support a human being on said seat, and said tube defining hand grasping portions disposed at each end of said seat defining portion whereby a person may reside on said seat portion and grasp said hand portions for swinging and bouncing on the swing.

2. The swing as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seat defining portion further comprises a pair of substantially-identically spaced apart flat areas each disposed symmetrically on the tube and extending laterally from each side wall of the tube, said flat areas defining foot pads each adapted to receive one foot of a child to stand thereon when swinging on the swing.

3. The swing as set forth in claim 2 wherein each foot pad includes a substantially flat top surface, and a plurality of parallelly disposed spaced apart rib members formed integrally with each top surface of each flat area and projecting outwardly therefrom and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the tubing whereby said rib members reinforce the structure of the foot pads while also providing a firmer foot gripping surface for a child to stand upon when swingmg.

4. The swing as set forth in claim 3 wherein the foot pads are formed integrally with the tube.

5. The swing as set forth in claim 4 wherein the tube is formed of a low density neoprene material.

6. The swing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the seat is formed integrally with said tube.

7. The swing as set forth in claim 6 wherein the tube is formed of a low density neoprene material. 

1. A spring swing adapted to be suitably suspended from an overhead support in a manner projecting vertically downwardly therefrom and comprising an endless continuous elastic tube, said tube having continuous cylindrically shaped side wall members, said tube including a portion disposed furthest from the point of connection of the tube to the suspending member and defining a seat for a person to reside on while swinging, said seat defining portion comprising a widened and substantially flat area defining a seat formed symmetrically to said tube and projecting laterally from each side of said tube and adapted for a person to sit thereon while swinging on said swing, said tube being of such length and of sufficient strength to support a human being on said seat, and said tube defining hand grasping portions disposed at each end of said seat defining portion whereby a person may reside on said seat portion and grasp said hand portions for swinging and bouncing on the swing.
 2. The swing as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seat defining portion further comprises a pair of substantially identically spaced apart flat areas each disposed symmetrically on the tube and extending laterally from each side wall of the tube, said flat areas defining foot pads each adapted to receive one foot of a child to stand thereon when swinging on the swing.
 3. The swing as set forth in claim 2 wherein each foot pad includes a substantially flat top surface, and a plurality of parallelly disposed spaced apart rib members formed integrally with each top surface of each flat area and projecting outwardly therefrom and extending in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the tubing whereby said rib members reinforce the structure of the foot pads while also providing a firmer foot gripping surface for a child to stand upon when swinging.
 4. The swing as set forth in claim 3 wherein the foot pads are formed integrally with the tube.
 5. The swing as set forth in claim 4 wherein the tube is formed of a low density neoprene material.
 6. The swing as set forth in claim 1 wherein the seat is formed integrally with said tube.
 7. The swing as set forth in claim 6 wherein the tube is formed of a low density neoprene material. 